Despite his position at Manchester United looking untenable for a period, Erik ten Hag looks to have survived.
Erik ten Hag looked like he had run out of time at Manchester United following disappointing back-to-back draws with Porto and Aston Villa.
The Dutchman has guided his United side to 14th in the league and a run of five games without a win – with the last win coming against League One Barnsley.
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Premier League
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Aston VillaAston Villa
0|0
Man UtdManchester United
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UEFA Europa League
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FC PortoFC Porto
3|3
Man UtdManchester United
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Premier League
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Man UtdManchester United
0|3
TottenhamTottenham
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UEFA Europa League
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Man UtdManchester United
1|1
TwenteTwente
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Premier League
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Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace
0|0
Man UtdManchester United
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League Cup
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Man UtdManchester United
7|0
BarnsleyBarnsley
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This run of form looked like it had doomed Ten Hag to the sack, with Ineos having an intense meeting in London on the Tuesday after the 0-0 Villa Park draw.
But we now sit just a week away from United resuming the so far torrid Premier League campaign, and he remains in charge.
So with that in mind, it’s time to get positive. Here are five reasons worth being positive about Ten Hag remaining as United manager.
Andre Onana’s defensive record this season
Arguably the only positive we can take from this season is Andre Onana and his goalkeeping which has kept United from humiliation in some games.
The Cameroonian has been United’s MVP, keeping four clean sheets which happens to be a league-leading amount – placing him well to win the Golden Glove in May.
All of this is a positive, and Ten Hag can take some of the credit as he has modified United’s structure which has Onana less exposed and more in a position to shine.
With this issue – partially – fixed, Ten Hag just has to fix one more thing to get his team ticking…
Manchester United have missed lots of chances
So despite all the struggles with scoring goals this season – just five in the Premier League so far – creating chances for the most part have not been the problems with the Red Devils ranking high in the big chances missed (BCM) charts.
| # | Club | BCM |
| 1. | Arsenal | 18 |
| 1. | Tottenham | 18 |
| 3. | Liverpool | 17 |
| 3. | Manchester United | 17 |
| 5. | Chelsea | 16 |
This shows that Ten Hag is creating the chances needed to win games, but his attacking players are simply missing them.
If United had scored even half of these big chances, we would be talking very differently at the outcome of this season to date.
So it would be logical to hope that by the finishing improving, United could soon shoot right back up the table.
Leading Europe for interceptions
There is plenty wrong with how United play football, but in terms of aggression and desire, the team cannot really be faulted and the stats prove it
United are leading Europe in terms of interceptions made per 90 (12.6) and also second in Europes top five leagues for tackles (22.3).
These prove that the players are fighting for Ten Hag, despite all the problems we are currently seeing with the team.
Some excellent prospects if Ten Hag opts to use them
Ten Hag’s time at United so far has been defined by using the United academy to unearth gems.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are two shining examples – with both becoming pivotal under Ten Hag straight out of the academy.
Well, if Ten Hag does need change then there are a handful of United academy players who deserve a chance.
- Chido Obi-Martin
- Dan Gore
- Gabriele Biancheri
- Harry Amass
- Sekou Kone
- Shea Lacey
These six names all stand excellent chances of breaking into the first team at some point in the next year and with Ten Hag’s track record at Ajax and also United, we’d back him to to turn to the academy again here.
United have a favourable run of games coming up
For Ten Hag, one saving grace of avoiding the sack right now is that United have a run of four games where some momentum and form can be built ahead of facing Chelsea on the 3rd of November.
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Premier League
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Man UtdManchester United
BrentfordBrentford
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UEFA Europa League
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FenerbahceFenerbahce
Man UtdManchester United
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Premier League
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West HamWest Ham
Man UtdManchester United
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League Cup
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Man UtdManchester United
LeicesterLeicester
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Premier League
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Man UtdManchester United
ChelseaChelsea
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Realistically, United should be beating these four teams and then even Chelsea at home – it all just depends on the performances.
Good results here could make the sack talk a distant memory for Ten Hag and United – as we would all quite quickly look on toward the future.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/OuNLzRl